Popular Nigerian actress and producer turned politician, Funke Akindele, has called out the Lagos state government over the recent flood scare.
This comes after several warning signals were sent out on a predicted flood about to hit the state.
Funke Akindele tagged the Lagos state Government irresponsible for not declaring a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities in the state.
She took to her Instagram page and wrote, “After speaking with people in several wards across the state, I feel compelled to share my concern about the safety of Lagosians in all areas of the state. The Lagos state government put out a flood warning for several parts of the state but it is yet to announce a state of emergency or share a detailed response plan in the event that flooding endangers the lives of citizens. The fact that lagos state has not declared a state of emergency, especially in the riverine communities, is extremely irresponsible & puts so many Lagosians at risk. Our riverine communities do not have functional gutters, flood canals built to channel flood water are filled with silt & blocked by refuse and our water ways are overrun by water hyacinths. It is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Funke Akindele futher noted that securing the lives of Lagosians is more better that campaigning. “While campaigning is important, securing the lives and properties of Lagosians takes precedence. In light of the present flooding in other parts of the country and the advance warning delivered by the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NMA), it is imperative that the Lagos state government ensures that citizens are protected by declaring an ecological state of emergency.”
She then advised that agencies should focus on unclogging flood canals in the state in order to ease flow of the water, “I would advise the state government to redirect its agencies, LASTMA and LAWMA to focus on unclogging the major flood canals so rainwater can be safely redirected out of the city & temporarily relocate citizens already displaced by the flooding in parts of the state until the flood waters disperse and work to decongest drainage channels in all densely populated areas before we face another flood disaster.”
She continued, “Emergency numbers should be broadcasted on all state media channels, citizens should be educated on present emergency protocols and encouraged to report any missing persons or damage to properties. We cannot in good faith ask our citizens to care about elections when their lives are at risk. I strongly urge Governor Sanwoolu and the Lagos state government to intervene and mitigate a potential tragedy.”
Funke Akindele’s fans react
Funke Akindele’s fans took to the comment section of her post to react. One Bolatito_Apatira wrote, “For weeks now LAWMA didn’t come and pack refuse yet they have the gut to increase the bill”
One FeyosayoRichards wrote, “We should be prepared for a general flooding problem coming especially for areas below sea level…Government should please do something about it ASAP we are begging…every life should matter in a sane country”
Feyisayoichards added, “Honestly speaking, I really ask myself of what use exactly is this present government to us all, what exactly have we benefited from this present government, it keeps getting worse…just couple of weeks ago I was robbed at 2nd rainbow at about 1:30pm and as if that wasn’t enough, just last week I was driving towards igando from Ipaiye Iba, only for some guys to throw something in my car on motion,I thought it was a stick not knowing it was a Snake…we keep battling with different sad occurrences everyday, from insecurities to bad infrastructure to lack of employment to flooding crisis”
Her Political Career
Kemi Filani News recalls that Funke Akindele once shed light on how she ventured into politics and what would become of her acting career.
She was chosen as Olajide Adediran’s running mate for the PDP’s governor candidate in Lagos in the general election of 2023.
She was chosen from a group of five nominees by Mr. Adediran, also known as Jandor, who also chose Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Kolawole Vaughan, Adenike Shobajo, and Rasheed Teslim-Balogun.
Jenifa, a.k.a. Ms. Akindele, was formally introduced in her hometown of Ikorodu.
The movie diva explained her plunge into politics by claiming that she got a call from Mr. Adediran.
During her speech after she was unveiled, she said she “ran away” when Mr Adediran called her.
She explained further while speaking with journalists at the end of the event that she gave politics some thoughts after she was called.
She said: “It’s new terrain for me. I don’t like to say I don’t like politics because dirty people or corrupt people have gone into politics.
“But if you do not go into politics and want to do it. Many young people hide behind their keypads to condemn different things the government is doing. Nobody’s willing to take the forefront to make a change.”
“So when I got a call from Jandor, I thought of it. I’ve been doing this on a smaller scale. I’ve been in the business for over 14 years, churning out different content, and it’s been going on for the most extended season, like three seasons of a TV show for years, and I’ve done it very well.”
The 44-year-old actress and trained lawyer became famous for her role in the comedy-drama series titled Jenifa’s Diary, which earned her the nickname Jenifa.
At the gathering, she revealed that she would suspend her acting career to focus more on politics.
She said: “I’m going to put aside my acting career now to give Lagosians the opportunity of a better life.”
